Walker Reed’s Louisiana cattle ranch is in debt after costly repairs from hurricane damage. To get the money, his family schemes to make Walker the star of a new bachelor reality series: Queer Seeks Spouse.. How hard can it be to fake interest in a dozen handsome men for a few weeks in exchange for enough money to solve all of his problems??

Roan Carmichael never got his Masters degree after his mother was diagnosed with cancer. With medical bills piling up, and a costly experimental treatment available, Roan signs on to be a suitor on Queer Seeks Spouse. While he hates having to leave his sick mother long enough to win the cash for her treatment, he’s willing to do whatever it takes.

Can two men who are just in it for the money fake their way into real and lasting love? Cowboy Seeks Husband, the latest book by Vespertine authors Leta Blake and Indra Vaughn, features a cowboy, a hipster, opposites attract, steamy scenes, and heart tugging moments that will leave you wanting more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and very steamy read. Actually I was surprised how much I liked it, given that the setting (a gay reality/dating show, i.e. think “Bachelor”) isn’t really my cup of tea. But I especially love how this book deftly brings together a large cast of characters and gives us what feels like an accurate behind-the-scenes view of any number of so-called “reality shows” while delivering a top-notch romance that is sexy and sweet and everything in between.

Walker needs money – money to keep his family ranch solvent – and he’s reluctantly willing to make his life an open book for six weeks while producers and camera crews from a reality show take over his Louisiana ranch. Roan needs money as well – his mother has stage four cancer and her only hope is an expensive experimental drug. There’s an instant attraction between the two and their first “noodling” date is absolutely hilarious. Because I really want Roan and Walker to get together, at times the pace of the story feels a bit slow, but I also like how the authors take the time to flesh out contestants like Ben who is dealing with his newly-discovered bisexuality and give us some insight into Walker’s family.

The chemistry between the two also really works, as they are continually c@ckblocked by the producers and their darn body mics and cameras yet try to find ways to carve out a few private moments. And once they finally get away for an erotic moonlight horse ride, omigawd it is definitely worth the wait. There are some unexpected hiccups before their happy ending, but everything seems to fit perfectly into the plot and seems necessary rather than manufactured angst to extend the drama. 4.5 stars and a Recommended Read for “Cowboy Seeks Husband.”